Pontypool RFC court bid fails to stop relegation (From South Wales Argus)

Pontypool RFC court bid fails to stop relegation

PONTYPOOL RFC today failed in its High Court challenge to plans which will see it forced into relegation from the Welsh Rugby Union's top league.

Pontypool RFC court bid fails to stop relegation

The famous old club is the victim of a major restructuring of the game in Wales, which will see the formation of a new 12-team Premiership.

In a trial in London last month, the club challenged the Welsh Rugby Union's decision, arguing that it was unfair and should be overturned.

But today, after taking a fortnight to come to a decision, the judge, Sir Raymond Jack, returned to the High Court to dismiss the club's claim.

"I conclude that Pontypool has failed to establish any breach of contract or breach of duty on the part of the WRU and that there are no grounds for the intervention of the court," he said.

The club's barrister, Ian Rogers, had argued that, after originally deciding on a 10-team Premiership, the WRU had succumbed to pressure from regional clubs to extend it.

The pressure, from Ospreys and Scarlets, led to a decision - against the rules, he said - to add Carmarthen Quins and Bridgend Ravens to make up a 12-team division.

The WRU said the two clubs were next in line to be added to the Premiership because they came 11th and 12th in a "meritocracy" based on recent on-pitch performance.

Pontypool, described by the judge as having a "proud history", was the 13th in the list and so not in line to be awarded a place in the league, the WRU said.

That was despite it having achieved a so-called A-licence, relating to the quality of its stadium, which was deemed necessary for entry to the Premiership.

Sir Raymond said changing the structure to include 12 teams was against the rules as they stood, but that the WRU has power to change those rules even at a late stage.

"The issue between the WRU and Pontypool here must be whether the late change involved unfairness to Pontypool such that the court should intervene," he continued.

"The answer to that is, in my judgment, plainly that it did not.

"This is because Bridgend and Carmarthen were 11th and 12th in the meritocracy.

"It was not unfair to Pontypool to enlarge the Premiership.

"It was not unfair to enlarge it by adding the next two clubs by meritocracy.

"The fact that they were added because they were Bridgend and Carmarthen does not change that. Pontypool's position was unaffected.

"If Pontypool had been ahead of them, or one of them, by meritocracy, then quite different arguments would have been open.

"It is, however, clear that the decision was to add these two particular clubs."

Mr Rogers asked the judge for permission to appeal, but the request was refused and the WRU was granted permission to get on with plans for the 2012-13 season.

"It has already been put off too long," said WRU barrister, Adam Lewis QC.

"All of the people, the staff, the sponsors, the players, are going to need to know what position they're in.

"Everything has been suspended already for much too long."

Pontypool could now make an application directly to the Court of Appeal for permission to appeal Sir Raymond's decision.

The WRU said they welcomed the High Court decision and union chief, Roger Lewis, added: “We can now all place this issue behind us and move forward in the best interests of Welsh rugby.

"We were disappointed that Pontypool decided to take this legal action against the Union. We cannot achieve change without facing up to difficult decisions. It is important we all now move on in harmony for the sake of the game."